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PCSO Lieutenant Raised More Than $87,000 For Central Florida Hearing And Speech Clinic

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PCSO Lieutenant Raised More Than $87,000 For Central Florida Hearing And Speech Clinic

PCSO Lieutenant Raised More Than $87,000 For Central Florida Hearing And Speech Clinic

by James Coulter

By day, Lt. Jim Ostojic serves his community through law enforcement as a lieutenant for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. Throughout the year, on his off-time, he spent more than 200 hours raising money for the Central Florida Speech and Hearing Center.

Lt. Ostojic raised more than $87,000 fundraising for the Center’s annual fundraiser, Mr. Central Florida. He shattered so many records through his volunteer efforts that he was named the titular title of this year’s Mr. Central Florida.

He was one of the 22 contestants who competed in this year’s fundraiser. To celebrate his victory, he hosted a victory lunch at Beef O’Brady’s in Lakeland on Tuesday, and was officially crowned during a ceremony on Thursday.

He was handpicked personally to enter the contest by the Honorable Sheriff Grady Judd himself. Lt. Ostojic was proud to serve on behalf of the PCSO, as well as to further support his community by raising proceeds that will go towards providing 80 children with hearing tests and aids.

“It really feels good to win Mr. Central Florida,” Lt. Ostojicsaid. “I think the most I enjoy about this is knowing that all of the kid who need hearing aids will be getting them. I think that is important. That is why I put in 200 hours of my own time to make sure that this was accomplished.”

Daniel Bourque, General Manager of the Lakeland Beef O’Brady’s, has known Lt. Jim for the past 11 years he has worked at the eatery. Jim often frequents Beef O’Brady’s with his family, and has proven himself to be a very valuable member of the community.

Beef O’Brady’s has hosted different functions and fundraisers for the Center, including a wing eating contest. The establishment’s owner even served as Jim’s campaign manager. As such, Bourque and the other staff members could not be any prouder of Jim winning the tile of Mr. Central Florida.

“I don’t think it could have happened to a better person,” Borquesaid. “Jim is a good guy. He cares about the kids so much, he raised so much money to help so many kids. It is phenomenal. He is dependable. If you call him, he is there, he is willing to give you advice, talk to you, as well as anything else you need. We really like having him come in here. It makes our day better when he shows up.”

Channon Eickenberg, Development Director for the Center, was especially proud of this year’s Mr. Central Florida event. Despite occurring during these uncertain times, the fundraiser and individual contestants managed to shatter previous records. This year’s event raised more than $256,000, she said.

“Jim was very motivated and worked hard on this,” Eickenbergsaid. “The money he raised had never been raised before, and it shattered all records.”

Due to the COVID crisis, the ceremony was hosted via livestream, with the stream being broadcast on its website and at the Silver Moon Drive-In in Lakeland. Even without a live event, the award ceremony received such a virtual turnout that next year’s event will also be planned to be livestreamed.

“The gentleman were able to rally the audience and engage with our guests, and it was a lively event,” she said. “Everyone enjoyed getting out of the house with a safe social distancing. I thank everyone who supported the event.”

More Than 200-Year-Old Army Veteran Honored At Haines City Veteran’s Day Ceremony

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More Than 200-Year-Old Army Veteran Honored At Haines City Veteran’s Day Ceremony

More Than 200-Year-Old Army Veteran Honored At Haines City Veteran’s Day Ceremony

by James Coulter

The name Zebulon Montgomery Pike may not ring a bell, but if you’ve ever visited Colorado, chances are you know of Pikes Peak, a mountain named after him.

Under the authority of Thomas Jefferson, Brigadier General Zebulon Montgomery Pike led two westward expeditions following the Louisiana Purchase. During one expedition, he crossed the Rocky Mountains and explored the territory now known as Colorado. This achievement earned him the honor of having Pikes Peak named after him.

During his service, he was captured by the Spanish colonial authorities near Santa Fe, taken to the territory that is now Mexico to be interrogated, and was later released near Louisiana. His exploits he wrote in a book published in 1810 and translated in Dutch, German, and French.

As a Brigadier General who served 14 years in the U.S. Army, Pike served in the War of 1812. He was killed with many American troops while leading an attack in the Battle of York in 1813.

Nearly 200 years after his death, his legacy was recognized in Haines City during their annual Veteran’s Day Celebration on Wednesday, where Pike was named Veteran of the Year. The City will install a plaque in his honor, and his descendants received the award in his honor.

Cynthia Morrison, one of his descendants, was proud that Haines City recognized the valiant efforts of her ancestor. She learned about the harsh conditions he and his men faced during his expeditions, battling both frostbite and hunger. She is humbled that his efforts helped aid the Westward Expansion.

“They say you cannot choose your family,” she said. “I want to say that I thank you all mightily for letting Zebulon be part of mine. I am very proud of him that he had such a role in developing this country.”

Pike was one of many veterans honored during the annual Haines City Veterans Day Ceremony on Wednesday. The ceremony was initially planned to be hosted at Railroad Park in Downtown Haines City, but due to inclement weather, the event was moved indoors to the Haines City Public Library.

The ceremony opened with the pledge of allegiance, national anthem, and an invocation provided by Arnulfo Gomez, a National Guard veteran and pastor of Rooted Outreach Ministries. The Haines City High School JROTC led the presentation of colors and organizational colors, which included recognizing the newest branch of the military, Space Force.

Gary Clark, a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel and chairman Polk County Veterans Council, served as the guest speaker during the event. He spoke of many aspects of the military, including the importance of Space Force.

As someone who served in the Air Force during the 1980s, he was involved with the creation of Air Force Space Command in Colorado. There he oversaw the procedures in the war room with detecting ballistic missiles during Project Desert Storm. From launch to impact, a missile could travel within 60 to 70 seconds; during that time, identifying the missile takes 10 seconds. Time was of the essence to detect, identify, and stop these missiles, he said.

His experience within Air Force Space Command helped him recognize the importance of Space Force. With more and more countries venturing into space for military purposes, the United States needs to catch up with the rest of them and be prepared.

“Space represents another field of combat that we need to prepare for,” Clark said. “We are concerned with what happens in space. China is a competitor. China is working hard. We know. We know they have the technology.”

Mayor Morris West allowed his grandson, Austin, from Dundee Ridge Middle School, to say a few words on behalf of local veterans. The young lad commended them for their valiantefforts to defend their country abroad.

“I would like to thank all the brave men and women for their service and what they did for this country and how great they were in participating in the army and putting their life on the line,” he said.

The Mayor likewise shared his own gratitude towards local veterans. He expressed the need for every city to aid those who had served their country, and explained how his own city has done likewise.

“You are part of an unbroken chain who served this country for the lives of our nation,” Mayor Morris said. “Today we remember and say thank you to all who made the ultimate sacrifice…Therefore, all should receive all the care, the honor that you deserve. Every city across this great nation should help our veterans by providing them jobs and care that they need when they return home. We, the City of Haines City, provide jobs and places to live and raise a family.”

Congressman Darren Soto appeared at the event to offer a few remarks about veterans. He and his office have worked with many veterans and veterans’ hospitals to ensure that those who served their country receive the care they require. As they served their country, so, too, must their country serve them.

“We are proud to serve those who have served,” Soto said. “You and your families have sacrificed so much in defense of our country, and we thank you so much for your service. The story of American heroism continues, it keeps going. It continues to this day.”

Nearly 100-Year-Old WWII Veteran Spoke At Lake Wales Veteran’s Day Lunch

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Nearly 100-Year-Old WWII Veteran Spoke At Lake Wales Veteran’s Day Lunch

Nearly 100-Year-Old WWII Veteran Spoke At Lake Wales Veteran’s Day Lunch

by James Coulter

Julien McCall will be turning 100 years old soon. He is a retired Captain who served in World War II. While he was honored to have served his country during the war, he knows full well the horrors such a war brought to the world. As such, he hopes and prays that a similar world war never again comes into fruition. However, he fears with current political and national strife the possibility of a civil war.

“I would recommend that we never again get involved in a world war,” McCall said. “Nobody wins. Everybody loses. You gain nothing. Unfortunately, we may have some more civil wars with the way the political scene is developing in the United States. I hope it is not here in this country. But we have to be careful.”

McCall still feels proud having served his country as a veteran, and he joined his fellow veterans in celebrating their victory, as well as joined local civilians to honor their contribution in defending the country.

“I wish you all great happiness and success,” he told his fellow veterans. “It is still a wonderful country.”

McCall was one of many veterans who attended the Veteran’s Lunch hosted at Dyer Chevrolet in Lake Wales on Wednesday. He served as one of several guest speakers who spoke on behalf of the sacrifice made by veterans such as himself.

Mayor Eugene Fultz served in the military for 24 years: four years in the Navy during the Vietnam War, and 20 years in the Army National Guard during Desert Storm. He attended the event dressed in his army uniform.

He owes his success as a local politician to his time within the service. His military experience allowed him to gain the discipline that he has since applied to his role as the city mayor. Moreover, his service allowed him to contribute to what he considers to be the cornerstone of the nation.

“To all of the veterans out there, keep your head up high, be proud of who you are, and be proud of the service that you rendered to this country,” Fultz said. “I pray that everybody will recognize you for the heroes that you are.”

Kathryn “Kat” Gates-Skipper served in the Marines for nearly 20 years. She now serves as a local veteran’s advocate, and previously served as a national advocate for the “Veterans ForTrump” campaign.

As a local Lake Wales resident, she was honored to attend the event with her family and fellow veterans. She was honored to speak a few words on their behalf and express her gratitude for being able to serve her country faithfully.

“It means everything in the world to me,” she said. “I am a proud American veteran who served my country…I want everyone to honor our veterans who served past, present, and future.”

David Dlugokecki, General Manager for Dyer Chrysler Chevrolet Lake Wales, hosted the event at his dealership to show his support for local veterans. The event was hosted in partnership with American Legion Post 71 and All Veterans Center, Icn. What started as a simple gesture to offer a free meal to veterans had since grown into a full-blown celebration with an all-veterans band and guest veteran speakers.

One of his staff members was a Marine veteran. David’s own father served in Vietnam and was buried in Bushnell Cemetery following his death in 2002. David had since spoken with many of his father’s veterans’ friends and learned through their experience how little their efforts often go unrecognized. For that and many other reasons, he decided to honor local veterans with a lunch at his dealership.

“We are hoping to let the people know that we are in Lake Wales and we care,” he said. “Today is not about selling cars. It is not about car deals. This is a day to celebrate the veterans, they deserve this, and this is what we are here for. I would like to thank the Lake Wales community to do the things we do and become a big part in helping the people out and share what we can and give back.”

Body Found In Lake Wales Orange Groves Identified As Missing Lakeland Man

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Body Found In Lake Wales Orange Groves Identified As Missing Lakeland Man

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the homicide of 21-year-old Danne Frazier of Lakeland, who was found deceased in a Lake Wales orange grove off of Helicopter Road on Tuesday, November 10, 2020. An autopsy is being performed tomorrow (November 13) to determine his exact cause of death, but through investigative means it is apparent that his death is suspicious and he is likely the victim a homicide.

Danne was reported missing on Wednesday, November 4, 2020, to the Lakeland Police Department, by his family. He left work (Publix warehouse in Lakeland) at 2:00 a.m. that morning, and was last seen around 2:20 a.m. at the WaWa gas station located on Edgewood Drive in Lakeland. He lived in Winter Haven, but never arrived home.

“As we recreate the final days of this young man’s life, we know that there are those out there who know what happened to him. You can remain completely anonymous – and get cash – for your information. All you have to do is contact Heartland Crime Stoppers. He was brutally murdered, and then dumped in an orange grove, and his family deserves justice.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

If anyone has information on Danne Frazier’s murder, they are urged to contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200. Or to remain anonymous, contact Heartland Crime Stoppers – call 1-800-226 TIPS (8477), dial **TIPS from your cell phone, visit the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit A Tip,” or download the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet.

Frostproof Celebrates 3rd Annual Fall Street Dance

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Frostproof Celebrates 3rd Annual Fall Street Dance

Frostproof Celebrates 3rd Annual Fall Street Dance

by James Coulter

Neither rain nor deadly pandemic nor divisive election results could prevent Frostproof residents from dancing in the street on Saturday evening. Nearly a hundred local residents and guests congregated along North Wall Street in front of the Ramon Theater in Downtown Frostproof for the third annual Frostproof Fall Street Dance.

Providing live musical entertainment on the stage was Shell Shocked, a dueling piano duo that often performs in the Orlando area, specifically at Disney Springs and Universal CityWalk. Such a lively musical duo offered high octane metropolitan musical flavor to the rural small town that evening.

When not busy dancing and singing along to live music, attendees could grab a bite to eat from one of three food trucks including Cuppa Joe and Smokin Ox. They could also enjoy a street performance by fire eater and juggler Flaming Joe.

The evening forecast was cloudy with a chance of showers. While the rain may have kept some people away earlier that evening, nothing could stop the dedicated locals from enjoying an annual fall tradition. Not even the COVID-19 crisis and tumultuous election could sour people’s moods.

“We love bringing the community together, especially for a night like this during an election,” said Austin Gravely, City Council Member and the event’s main organizer. “Coming together, it don’t matter if you are a Republican or a Democrat. It is nothing like that. It is strictly a community.”

For the past three years, the street dance has been bringing the local townsfolk together. The tradition started shortly after the town’s 100th anniversary three years ago when hanging lights were hung over North Wall Street. Ever since, they have been making good use of the lighted streetscape with these events.

This year’s fall street dance was hosted with funding from the City of Frostproof, as well as sponsors like Iceberg Cooling and Elite Lawn & Landscaping. Another street dance will be planned around mid-February for Valentine’s Day. As with the Fall Street Dance, this will likewise be the third annual event for the spring.

“It is something we started years ago, and we want to keep it going as long as people keep coming out,” Gravely said. “The rain has kept some people away, but obviously, as you see now, it was a good turnout.”

Leslie Brewer, another City Commissioner, loves the overall nostalgia the event evokes. She remembers when similar street dance parties were hosted back in the day, and being able to attend dances today bring back fond childhood memories.

“[I love] seeing everybody come out of all ages, small kids, the older adults that have come here with all the variety of entertainment that we have here tonight,” Brewer said. “We put a lot of effort into giving something for the community to come to, something that doesn’t necessarily cost them money, but just get everybody together to get that small town spirit going and keep it alive.”

More Than $25,000 Raised At Lake Wales Care Center 28th Annual Golf Tournament

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More Than $25,000 Raised At Lake Wales Care Center 28th Annual Golf Tournament

More Than $25,000 Raised At Lake Wales Care Center 28th Annual Golf Tournament

by James Coulter

Mike Morrow, Director of Enterprise Programming at the Lake Wales Care Center, has been working at the center for 10 years. Since then, he has coordinated the golf tournament for several years, and coordinated the volunteers at the tournament.

While he, like any businessman, loves being able to spend a day at the links playing a round of golf, he especially loves being able to meet with the people at the event. Many of them he only gets to see once a year at the event, he said.

This year drew in more than 140 attendees, a significant number considering looming fears of the current COVID-19 crisis. Even then, people more than willingly arrived at the Lake Wales Country Club for the annual tournament.

“With everything that is going on with the pandemic and all the problems that we have, we had a very great turnout,” Morrow said. “It is great to see the community turn out and support the care center with such a fun event. I enjoy getting to see the people year after year. A lot of them keep coming back, it is fun to see them come back because it’s usually the only time I get to see them.”

The 28th Annual Lake Wales Care Center Invitational Golf Tournament was hosted to raise proceeds for the Lake Wales Care Center, a local non-profit organization that helps meet the needs of the local needy, from providing housing assistance to discount appliances and furniture from the center’s thrift store.

More than 140 attendees took to the links for a day of golf. Afterwards, they returned to the Clubhouse in the banquet hall to enjoy refreshments and learn about the winners in the many categories, from the lowest to the highest score.

More than $25,000 in proceeds were raised during the fundraiser. These proceeds will go towards the many programs and services provided through the Lake Wales Care Center, from hot meals and homebound care and repair for shut-ins to ESOL and training classes for migrants.

“[Our center has] impacted this community because of support of folks like you,” said Robert Quam, Care Center Director. “And it is a lot more than just coming out and playing golf, many of you know that, it is through families and churches that we are able to continue to do the things that we do.

This year’s event was hosted due in part to the sponsorship provided by local businesses such as Chemical Containers, Inc.Because of their support, both financially and through partnerships and relationships, they help the Center meet local needs in their community.

“On behalf of all of those who we serve on a day to day basis, we thank you for being a part of this,” he said. “It is more than just 25,000 dollars, it is more than a round of golf, it is neighbor helping neighbor.”

First Baptist Church Of Auburndale Celebrates 100 Years

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First Baptist Church Of Auburndale Celebrates 100 Years

First Baptist Church Of Auburndale Celebrates 100 Years

by James Coulter

For the past 74 years, Jim Jordan has been attending First Baptist Church of Auburndale. He has lived in the same city his whole life, and he has attended the same church all his life. He was married there. His children were married there. And his entire family was baptized there.

What keeps him returning to the same pews of that same church has been the overall sense of family and community. Having lived in the same city and attended the same church, he knows everyone by name, and everyone is a familiar face.

“My fondest memories were seeing my children baptized and married here,” Jordan said. “I like the members of the church, it is like a family-friendly church. We had some wonderful preachers and choir directors and music directors all through the years.”

For one hundred years, First Baptist Church of Auburndale has drawn in hundreds of church members, hundreds of families, and with hundreds of thousands of sermons preached from its pulpit. The church celebrated its centennial anniversary last Sunday.

In the fall of 1920, the church started its humble beginnings with ten people composing its body of believers. In December of that same year, the church built its first sanctuary building with the help of 75 people and only $75 in their bank account, their Facebook page explained.

“Many people have walked through the doors of FBC,” their Facebook page stated. “FBC is not a building, but a group of people, each individual a vital part of the whole.  Each one finds a place of belonging, a place where the love of Christ is shared and hearts are encouraged, lives are changed, and Jesus is lifted high.”

Tom Johnson has served as the current pastor for the past 15 years. The faith of his congregation, especially those of the young children and the seniors, have been an inspiration for him to remain with the church.

“We are excited about the future. We have opportunities to go out and invite people to come and talk to them about the Lord,” he said. “We are excited about growing the church and expanding God’s kingdom.”

Being able to oversee a church with a century-long legacy has also been a real inspiration for him. To know that he is one in a long line of pastors who have served at the church over the past 100 years is nothing short of an honor for him.

“It is a great blessing to pastor to people who have sat under a number of pastors,” Johnson said. “It is a great blessing to have an opportunity to reach more people.”

Claudia Smith was a member of the church from 1992 to 2004. During that time, she served as its organist back when the church had an organ. She loved being involved with the music department and its directors and members.

Though she no longer attends the church, she appreciated the memories she had within it. Those memories inspired her to visit once more for the church’s centennial celebration.

“I am thankful to have been able to come back today to celebrate the 100th anniversary,” she said. “The years I have been here, it has helped my faith. It created a deep love of Jesus and for community even though I lived in Lakeland, I would come here to church, mainly because of the music. It simply spoke to my heart.”

Oakland Community Garden Opens In Haines City

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Oakland Community Garden Opens In Haines City

Oakland Community Garden Opens In Haines City

by James Coulter

Keva Harris has lived in Haines City all her life. She had served her community through her career in the Haines City Police Department, where she often volunteered for local community events.

Upon retiring, she wanted to continue serving her community. Growing up, she remembered how many neighbors would have their own gardens where they grew their own vegetables for their meals. She wanted people, especially children and older people, to have a similar shared experiences.

“We just always had this vision and dream to have a community garden where we can give back,” Harris said. “From my growing up in this community, I remember people had gardens to supplement their food. It was fresh food. It was good food. And when folks cooked, it was great family affair. We wanted to bring it back. We want the community to be involved and do something healthy and fun that supplements meals.”

On Saturday, Harris and several other community members, including students from local high school, provided that experience to the Northeast Oakland area in Haines City by officially opening their new community garden.

The garden is adjacent to the Dolphus Howard Complex, the building for the North Ridge Unit of the Polk County Boys and Girls Club, built upon the property where the former community pool resided. The old pool had since been decommissioned, with a new pool set to open later this week.

Once the pool was decommissioned last year, the pump and other pool equipment was removed, the cement was removed from the hole, and the hole was filled with sand. The vacant lot now contains wooden containers where vegetables, flowers, and other plants will be grown.

Assisting with the dedication of the new garden were several hundred volunteers from the local community, including students from Haines City High School and Ridge Community High School, as well as city and community members.

Martina Williams-White, a teacher from Haines City High School, attended the opening event on Saturday. Volunteers gathered around 7:30 a.m. and spent the remainder of the morning constructing more than a dozen wooden plant containers. Many of these containers were made from crates donated by Dundee Citrus.

As a local educator, Williams-White appreciates how the new space can be utilized to facilitate lessons on a diverse array of school subjects from math and science to even the literary and visual arts. Most importantly, it provides a public space where residents young and old can come together in unity to help facilitate local plant life.

“Whether we realize it or not, we depend on plants for every single thing,” she said. “We depend on them for food, to breath, for our nutrients, for clothing, shelter. Think about it: these gardens beds would not be able to be built without wood from the trees. They sustain us. So giving back to the plants is bringing people together. In a sense, it is bringing us back to our roots.”

Ashely Harris, daughter of Keva Harris, is excited for the project. Their family has long dreamed for a community garden such as this. She especially appreciates seeing both the local youth and elderly come together to enjoy and participate within the new public space.

“It is very refreshing to see we can bring our elderly and young community together as one,” she said. “They can see something from the future and the past together again so they can see each other in a new light and setting. So it will be really nice and awesome. We can get together as one and enjoy fellowship together.”

The Oakland Community Garden is a volunteer-led program being facilitated through the Haines City CRA and Parks and Recreation Department. Parks and Rec has helped to not only fill in the hole of the old pool, but install irrigation and replace fencing.

Janes Waters, CRA Project Manager, has spent her career through the county supervising the installation of seven community gardens. They are her favorite thing to implement within a local community. The hardest part, of course, is bringing together volunteers to create and sustain them, she said.

“We all love the idea of gardening, but it really takes someone with the heart and soul of growing things and teaching others, specifically children, how to grow a garden,” Waters said.

She loves being able to see a community come together to create something as beautiful and vibrant as a garden. Not only does it beautify the local landscape, but also helps locals appreciate where their food comes from.

“We live in a very microwave society,” she said. “Everything happens in a blink of an eye, and we often lose the lessons we learn in growing things. This will give students the opportunity to plan for a harvest and to plan for growth. It shares sustainability of life differently.”

The Oakland Community Garden is located at the North Ridge Unit of the Polk County Boys and Girls Club, at 704 Ave C, Haines City, FL 33844. For more information, contact the Haines City CRA at: 863-421-5572, Ext. 5572

How Economic Development Affects You

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How Economic Development Affects You

How Economic Development Affects You

by Kevin Kieft, President/CEO of the Lake Wales Chamber of Commerce

During any type of election you will hear potential office holders debate about the economy and of course “jobs, jobs, jobs”. If you are a person who works or consumes, you are part of the economy. So it stands to reason that we all do well when the economy does well, and the economy does well when we do well.

This very reason is why economic development is vital, especially to a small-town community like Lake Wales. Simply put, if there was no economy—no local job opportunities, no businesses to buy from, no banks to save your money, no taxes to fund our public services—then there would be no community—no Lake Wales!

So when I talk about economic development, I’m not merely discussing some nebulous concept that only wealthy economists care about. I am discussing a vital component of a functioning society, something that affects everyone from the CEO who owns a large warehouse employing 5,000 to a child saving their allowance to buy something nice for themselves.

So what is economic development? For this column, I’ll refer to the official definition from the International Economic Development Council. Economic development, according to their website, is “a set of programs and policies that aid in the creation, retention and expansion of jobs; the development of a stable tax base; and the enhancement of wealth.”

Simply put, economic development allows the local economy to grow so there are more businesses, more jobs, and—more importantly—more money in your pocket to spend on these local businesses and fund public amenities.

How do we create economic development? This question is fiercely debated by politicians. Some think economic growth is spurred by cutting taxes and regulations to allow businesses to better grow and flourish. Others believe economic growth is stimulated by increasing wages to provide workers more money to spend in the economy.

The answer is much more complicated. There is no single definition for economic development. There is no single strategy, policy, or program for achieving successful economic growth. There is no “one-size-fits-all” strategy that can be applied to every community. Every community is different, so every strategy towards achieving economic development will be different for every community.

To ensure our strategy for achieving economic development is successful, we here at the Lake Wales Area Chamber of Commerce and EDC collaborate with other members, businesses, and organizations in the community to learn about their needs and how best to fill them.

Economic development is a team effort. As such, we work closely with city and county officials, local business owners, landowners and developers, colleges and universities, and organizations such as the Main Street Association and other area Economic Development agencies. We work

together to determine the best course of action, and then conceive programs and policies to move that action forward.

So far, our approach toward economic development has proven successful. We have attracted many new big businesses, especially in manufacturing. Two new businesses include Pamlico Air and The Fence Outlet, both of which have created more than 100 to 200 jobs.

Another major development has been with the renewed focus on the downtown area. Through the Lake Wales Connected Plan, we are bound to see new renovations and improvements, especially along Park Avenue, to beautify our city streets and attract new businesses downtown.

Of course, as with any local economy, we also face many challenges. One major challenge when it comes to economic development is–as the old saying goes–location, location, location!

Many large businesses wish to relocate to areas with easy access to interstate highways. While Lake Wales exists on the intersection of Highway 27 and State Road 60, this location can prove problematic for some types of industries so we must always work to maintain and improve our infrastructure.

Perhaps the largest challenge is with industrial buildings and large tracts of land that is ready for development. New businesses require either land or vacant buildings to develop upon, and the bigger the business, the bigger the land or facility required. Additionally, we need land for housing, which in and of itself also proves to be a challenge.

Our challenges are many, but together we can face them. Through the cooperation of our business partners and public officials, we have been able to draft a plan tailor-made to grow our community economically.

Our board of directors is a mixed bag, a mix of local colleges and universities and businesses and service professionals and people who make things happen. It is the community taking care of itself and trying to make itself better. We could not do it without them. It is really an effort for all, and it takes everyone to make it happen.

Former City Commissioner & Her Husband Murdered In Their Lakeland Home

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Former City Commissioner & Her Husband Murdered In Their Lakeland Home

Lakeland Police are continuing to investigate a double homicide near the 100 block of Lake Morton Drive. On Tuesday, November 10, 2020, officers responded to a residence after receiving a request for a wellness check at approximately 5:51 p.m. Upon searching the home, officers located two adult victims inside, deceased.  Detectives have identified the victims as married couple David Henderson, age 63, and Edith L. Henderson, age 67.

Edith Henderson, formerly Edith Yates, served as a Lakeland City Commissioner from 2006 until the beginning of 2018.  This is an active and open investigation, and updates will be provided as additional information becomes available for release. No other details will be released at this time to protect the integrity of the investigation.

Anyone with information related to the case is encouraged to contact Detective Tammy Hathcock at 863.834.6975 or [email protected]. To remain anonymous, contact Heartland Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-226 TIPS (8477), visit www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit A Tip,” or download the free “P3tips” app on a smartphone or tablet.

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